July 12: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

July 12^th is known as New Conversations Day and Etch A Sketch Day.

Today marks the 193^rd day of the year. We’re slowly getting through the year, but still have 172 days left until the end of the year.

If this day is your birthday or special to you in some way, then you’ll want to learn all about the past events that all fell on July 12.

Did you know that on this day in 2000, the movie “X-Men” premiered in New York? The premiere took place on Ellis Island, the location of the film’s final battle.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about July 12^th in history!

What Events Happened On July 12 In History?

2022 NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope released its first groundbreaking images from space.

The new images paved the way for a new era in astronomy. The first full-color image was called Cosmic Cliffs. The photo was taken from a star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula.

2018 Sandra Oh became the first woman nominated for an Emmy for her lead role in Killing Eve.

2018 “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” premiered in Paris, France.

2013 Seven people were killed when a French passenger train derailed in Brétigny-Sur-Orge.

The accident was France's most severe train crash since the 1988 Gare de Lyon accident, in which 56 people lost their lives.

2001 NASA’s Atlantis space shuttle took off from the John F. Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-104.

Mission STS-104's main priorities were transporting and installing the Quest Joint airlock to the International Space Station and conducting routine maintenance on the station. The airlock was the biggest deal, though, as it was the first airlock on the ISS, which was usable by both Russian and American astronauts.

2000 The “X-Men” film premiered in New York on Ellis Island.

Since Ellis Island plays an important role in the movie, the premiere was held at that location. Two days later, the film opened in thousands of theaters across North America.

1996 Basketball player Michael Jordan was offered the richest NBA one-year contract of $30 million from the Chicago Bulls.

Jordan signed the deal for the 1996-97 season with the Chicago Bulls, and little did he know that one year later, he would be offered $33 million to stay with Chicago Bulls.

1993 The musical “Sunset Boulevard” by Andrew Lloyd Webber opened at the Adelphi Theater in London.

The show was incredibly popular and ran for 1,529 performances but had to be stopped due to losing money for being an expensive production.

1962 The Rolling Stones had their first performance at the Marquee Club in London.

1957 Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to fly in a helicopter.

1804 Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, was shot in a pistol duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

1771 British explorer James Cook returned to England.

His journey from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta in Indonesia) wasn't the easiest as many of his crew suffered from malaria.

1679 Under the rule of King Charles II of England, the Habeas Corpus Parliament was dissolved.

The Habeas Corpus Act was established on March 6, 1679.

927 AD The Saxon King Æthelstan of Southern England was the first successful king to take over Northern England.

In Saxon, England, there were many rulers of each area. On this day, King Constantine II of Alba, King Hywel Dda of Deheubarth, and Ealdred of Bamburgh accepted King Æthelstan's overlordship. He was the first successful king to conquer northern and southern England.

Famous Quotes Said On July 12

Below are the most famous quotes people have said or written on this day throughout history.

1917

“The strongest natures, when they are influenced, submit the most unreservedly: it is perhaps a sign of their strength.”

– Virginia Woolf

July 11 Jul 11 July 13 Jul 13

Famous People Born On July 12

Is today is your birthday? If so, you share this special day with Michelle Rodriguez! Check out more famous people born on this day below.

1989 Phoebe Tonkin

Australian Actress

Age:: 33 years old
Born In:: New South Wales, Australia

1977 Brock Lesnar

American Wrestler

Age:: 45 years old
Born In:: South Dakota, USA

1978 Michelle Rodriguez

American Actress

Age:: 44 years old
Born In:: Texas, USA

1937 Bill Cosby

American Comedian

Age:: 85 years old
Born In:: Pennsylvania, USA

Special Holidays On July 12

If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.

New Conversations Day

Making new friends typically begins by striking up a conversation with people you have never spoken to before. Today is New Conversations Day, so why not reach out to someone new and see where the conversation goes?

Etch A Sketch Day

Etch A Sketches are arguably one of the most underrated toys from our childhood. The best news you’ll hear all day is that they’re still readily available for purchase! If you can’t pick one up today, that’s all good - just pick up a pencil and get creative!

July 12 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone

Those of you who were born on July 12 share the Cancer star sign.

In astrology, Cancer’s ruling planet is the moon. Before telescopes were invented, the moon was one of 7 “planets” visible to the naked eye. Because of this, the sun and moon were both included in the definition of what a planet is.

Those of you that were born in July have the Ruby birthstone. The color of the ruby gemstone commonly ranges from a deep blood red to a pale rose red. The ruby symbolizes love, passion, and success.

People born on July 12 were likely conceived on or around October 19 in the previous year.